Stakes-winning mare Oh Diamond Lil, described by jockey Rachel King as “a bit of a weirdo”, is in the right mindset to recapture her best form in the Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong. King was aboard the David Pfieffer-trained galloper when she secured her most significant victory in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle last spring.

The six-year-old’s subsequent performances have been varied, with King attributing this more to the mare’s mental state than her physical condition. “She’s a bit of a weirdo but the guy who has been riding her work has done a really good job with her this ‘prep’,” King commented. “She’s still got her ways about her, but when she’s on the track she has been more relaxed than ever.”

King further explained, “At the moment they’ve got her in a really good headspace and she’s back to firing like she was when I was last winning on her. She’s fit and healthy and looks great. She has done plenty of work, she’s had good, solid trials and she’s ready to go.”

Oh Diamond Lil’s last appearance was a fourth-place finish in the Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June. Despite this, she has won both her recent trials and maintains a strong record when racing fresh.

Bella Montagna, King’s mount for the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m), is also returning from a Queensland campaign. This included a second in the Premier’s Cup (2400m) and a fifth in the Brisbane Cup (3200m), both times behind Alalcance. Given this residual fitness, Bella Montagna is expected to be a strong contender.

“Distance-wise, it’s the right trip for her (first-up) and I’m sure coming from Gai and Adrian’s she’ll be fit enough first-up,” King stated. “She is definitely improving and she has each prep. Even last prep, she improved throughout the whole preparation.”

She added, “I was pretty confident going into a Brisbane Cup it would suit her. She probably didn’t quite see out the two miles trying it the first time, but I think she’ll benefit a lot from it and she’s the kind of mare who can get over that trip eventually. It will be interesting to see how she’s come back having had that little bit of a break. I think she has probably strengthened up a bit.”

King is aiming for a repeat of her 2020 success in the Wyong Cup-Mona Lisa Stakes double with Paths of Glory and Asiago. The Mona Lisa Stakes is approaching, and interested parties can find competitive racing odds on Australian betting sites.